Trying not to freak out

Options
rissaandcrew
rissaandcrew Member Posts: 7
edited March 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

I am 38 and found a painful area in my left breast while showering a few weeks ago. I did a little feeling around and felt a lump. I called my PCP and saw him that same day. He also felt the lump and referred me to the breast center. I was scheduled on the 11th for a mammogram and ultrasound of the area. The mammogram appeared to go well and then we went to the ultrasound. After digging around the tech went to speak to the radiologist who sent her back for more angles. She left again and this time she bought him back with her. He looked around for a while and then they both left. The tech came back and said they wanted more mammogram views so back I went for another 6 images of the left breast. The radiologist came back in and said they see an area that is of some concern but that we can recheck in six months. I was a little worried but convinced myself it was nothing to worry about and went on with my life. At least that's what I tried to do.

I realized that I missed a message on my answering machine on Monday. I listened to it and it was the lead tech from the breast center. They wanted me to come back for another ultrasound with the lead Doctor the next day. I went last Wednesday and had the ultrasound done. After it was over she told me that they are not able to see the area that showed up on the mammogram in the ultrasound. She took me to the computer and pulled up my mammogram and showed me the area of concern. There is a spot deep in my left breast up against the chest wall at 5:00 that is at the very edge of the image. They are worried that it has irregular boarders and the whole thing is not able to be seen in the images they took. The area they can see is 11mm. She said that she wont feel happy until they get a better look. Her report lists me as BIRAD 4. I am scheduled for an MRI with contrast on Wednesday and the waiting is killing me.

Ever since the mammo and ultrasound the pain has gotten a little better but now I keep getting the milk letdown feeling along the outside of my left breast and in that armpit and that side of the breast feels full like a clogged duct. I haven't nursed a baby in over 12 years. I also feel like there may be a few swollen lymph nodes in that armpit that are sore to the touch. I know I'm likely freaking myself out and imagining things due to the stress of waiting. This waiting is the worst for of torture. I'm so scared. Has anyone else felt like their milk was letting down with a BC diagnosis or other benign breast issue? It is so strange.


· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2016

    rissaandcrew, the waiting is the worst! We totally understand where you are with that. Try to distract yourself in the next few days, and do kind things for yourself as well (e.g. take walks, get nails done, visit with friends, watch a movie). Many women report the feeling of milk let down with various breast issues, including benign. Let's here what others have to say, but one day at a time !

    Please keep us posted!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited February 2016

    Hi rissaandcrew,

    Due to the fact that all of us are different, we can't really compare our own symptoms/diagnosis or even mammogram reults with yours. The Birads 4 rating is so insurance will approve the MRI or biopsy as they won't do it with any less and it is also a way to let you know that there is an area they want to look closer at. Our minds are very powerful and often play tricks on us about the let-down feeling. It also could be happening to you for sure and in no way do I imply you are not feeling what you are. Just wait and find out what is going on because worrying will not change any outcome for you either way. 80% of all Birads 4 are benign so hold on to that for now and let us know how it goes. Hugs to you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rissaandcrew
    rissaandcrew Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2016

    Update: Im still on the waiting marry-go-round. I had my MRI and the results were not very helpful and introduced more questions that we have to wait on answers for. The area they were concerned about on the chest wall is still a mystery. It enhanced slightly and they are still calling it BIRADS 4 and suspicious with low probability. The lump that originally took me to the doctor that was not seen on the mammo is described as "a focal slightly irregular intermediate signal intensity mass measuring 11x26x11mm. They go on to say that the etiology is uncertain. They also found another area of concern that was not seen on mammo or ultrasound. They found a nonspecific finding just lateral and anterior to the nonenhancing mass that is a 14x7 mm area of ductal enhancement. The report pretty much looks like they are trying to rule out DCIS. My doctor said they are taking this very seriously and I am scheduled for a surgical consult on the 23rd. He said the chest wall area is an area they cannot biopsy in the office so I will have surgery which he feels I would have had anyway because they want the areas removed.

    Im surprisingly calm at this point. I think all the waiting I have had to do has allowed me to wrap my head around it and find my inner strength and connect on a deeper level with my faith. I feel like either way I will get though this. Now I'm just anxious to get the show on the road.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2016

    Ugh. I am sorry you have to wait to find out. That is so stressful. Keep us updated. I hope it is nothing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited March 2016

    Hang in there, waiting is indeed the hardest. Those pesky MRIs are good at finding things and also finding non-things. Sounds like you are in very good hands.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories